My MIL is a former farmgal. Her family had a huge spread of land
and grew many different types of fruits and nuts throughout her
lifetime. Being the oldest, she was privy to The Secret. She
became as much the reason for her farm's success as her dad; she
could get things to grow-and-produce where many others would fail.
When she was old enough, she took advantage of getting married and
moved off the farm and into the city. She never lost that magical
green thumb, though, and it shows up every season around this time
with a truly special golden globe that's sweet, succulent, and
Spawn's favorite fruit.
Spawn is The Climber. She morphs into a spider monkey every June
and picks the fruit that is at the top of each tree. Her reward
has always been a bag for her to nosh after each harvest.
Since the fruit is an orangish color, Spawn's always referred to
it as Golden Balls, but only to my MIL.
Imagine my chagrin when we're both at the store this past week and
she begins to animatedly point to the fruit display exclaiming,
"Golden Balls! Golden Balls! Can we get some?"
I looked over to where I thought she was pointing and saw "Naval
Oranges," "Juice Oranges," "Pixies," and "White Nectarines."
"We grow most of those already. Why do I want to buy them?"
"No. No." she continued pointing.
I looked again. Behind the Pixies was a much smaller "box" of
apricots. I still didn't understand, and apparently my face showed
this puzzlement so Spawn took me by the hand directly to what she
was talking about.
"Them!"
The sign under the fruit read, "Blenheim."
"Oh..."
"Up. Please hold a bag. I'll pick."
Yes ma'am.
It's nice to know that she's been paying attention during each
harvest. Those were some of the most delicious apricots I've had
in a long time. We finished the 8-lb bag in two days.
We're off to the farmers' markets today and tomorrow to load back
up on spinach, peas, and, of course, apricots.
The Ranger
--
Spawn is her own little girl. She knows what she likes and she
knows that I'm not always going to be in agreance.